Professionelle

New Professionelle!

2011-05-16T15:12:00.001-04:00

Professionelle has a whole new look and new url. Please visit the new blog at www.professionelleblog.com, and don't forget to update your rss feeds!

Professionelle is Getting a Makeover!

2011-04-21T17:03:00.001-04:00

Professionelle has a new address! Please visit www.professionelleblog.com for this post and much more!

It's really amazing to me that I've been blogging on Professionelle for over two years! I finally decided it was time for Professionelle to spruce up its look. So, in the next few weeks, Professionelle will have a whole new look (just in time for Spring!) and also a new web address. All of the old posts on this web address will be moved over so you can still view your favorite posts. Please leave a comment if you have any suggestions for the new blog, particularly if you have any experience in web design! I've been soliciting help through Agent Anything and various other people who have been generous enough to lend their time and talents. I'm so excited to share with you the new Professionelle, but for now, take a moment to join Professionelle on Facebook and follow Professionelle on Twitter so you know the minute the new site is up.

Summer Associate Wardrobe Guide 2011

2011-04-05T16:40:00.005-04:00

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It's only the beginning of April, but it's time to start thinking about summer (or at least summer associate programs)! Most summer programs start in early May so it makes sense to start preparing. As stores begin stocking up on spring/summer clothes, now is the best time to start building your new career wardrobe. I would say it's the best part about being a summer, but that's just not true since being a summer associate is quite possibly the best job on earth - no exaggeration. Below is an updated list of law firms and what you should expect to wear to fit in, or at least not stand out in a bad way. Best of luck and have a great summer!

Cleary Gottlieb

Cleary is business casual and a former associate says that she's seen women wear fun and funky dresses. According to her, Cleary associates probably push fashion boundaries more than associates at other firms.

Nanette Lepore Go Getter Dress (298.00)

Covington & Burling

A Covington associate described the D.C. law firm dress code as a pencil skirt and cardigan with basic dark heels. Covington itself is business casual (except when meeting with clients) and there are a number of female associates who sport colorful sheath dresses. Open toed shoes are ok during the summer and sometimes younger associates will wear a lower cut shirt or a lower back shirt if they have plans after work.

Kate Spade Pineapple Cardigan (295.00)

Cravath

Cravath continues to require formal business attire. Most women wear suits all of the time, although blazers with mismatched skirts/pants are acceptable. Stockings and closed-toe shoes are technically required and are also the norm. To push the envelope, women will wear cardigans instead of blazers, patterned stockings (technically a no-no), above-the-knee skirts, and very tall heels. Not a lot of loud nail polish, make up, or jewelry. It's a pretty buttoned-up place in the end, but women make an effort to look well-dressed nonetheless.

Paul & Joe Nabila Silk & Stretch Jersey Halterneck Jumpsuit (720.00) (If you pair this with a blazer, as shown, it's a great way to look business formal yet unconventional)

Davis Polk

Davis Polk is technically business casual, but there's a wide variety to what people wear. Some associates will push the fashion boundaries with sleeveless dresses or tops in the summer. Blouses with ruffles, colorful dresses and even some animal prints can be seen around 450 Lex. I would suggest wearing a suit on your first day but after that, it's not required or expected. Open toed shoes are ok in the summer and lots of women accessorize otherwise conservative outfits with trendy jewelery.

David Meister Pleat Front Belted Dress (227.99)

Dewey & LeBoeuf

Dewey is business casual, but most female partners wear suits, although not always with a full button down shirt underneath. They might opt for easier options like tanks, blouses and short/long sleeve crew necks. Younger associates are seen wearing dresses, sweaters and skirts or sweaters and pants as opposed to more traditional business formal attire. Younger associates do wear open toed shoes in the summer.

Dolce & Gabbana City Savvy Skirt Suit (929.00)

Sidley Austin

One Sidley New York associate described her ideal outfit as clean, neat and comfortable enough to survive those inevitable long days and nights at the office. Although summer associates are working longer hours than they did when the economy was better, there will likely be few long days or nights at the office (again, being a summer associate is awesome). But the point remains, the key is to be comfortable because even if you're only at the office for 8 hours, that's still a long time to be sitting constrained in a pencil skirt. There's also the fact that you'll be eating massive lunches so stretchy fabrics can be your friend. Below is a comfortable, stretchy, yet fashionable option.

Diane von Furstenberg Issie Stretch-Silk Dress (425.00)

If you're an associate, what kind of advice would you give to incoming female summer associates with regard to work apparel? If you're a summer associate, what dress code questions would you like the answer to? Now that comments are anonymous, feel free to be totally honest and ask any questions you'd like.

Comment Away!

2011-03-28T12:39:00.001-04:00

Professionelle has a new address! Please visit www.professionelleblog.com for this post and much more!

Even though I've been doing this "blog" thing for about two years, I just recently discovered how to turn on anonymous comments on Professionelle. Now you can feel free to comment away even if you don't have a Google I.D. Looking forward to hearing your suggestions and feedback.

Also, stay tuned for a follow up post on the popular Summer Associate Wardrobe Guide from two years ago, updated with new firms and more details. Also to-come, a feature on my favorite lawyer-turned-blogger links.

Mission Accomplished

2011-03-18T14:50:00.001-04:00

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I don't know what it is about Apple products that makes them so darn addictive, but that addiction has spread around the world like wildfire. Case and point: my mother called me last week to ask me to bring her an iPad 2 which was apparently selling for RMB $20,000 on the black market. That's nearly US $3000! So, I did what any good Chinese daughter would do, I called every single Apple store in New York, every single day to see if they had any in stock. At one point, I encountered a clerk who answered with phone with, "Thanks for calling the W. 14th Street Apple Store where we are all sold out of the iPad 2." I'm not sure how this was any more efficient because even after this greeting I (and I'm sure everyone else) repeated, "So...that means you don't have the iPad 2?" He reiterated that indeed, they were all sold out, but informed me that I could come in early in the morning and wait in line when their morning stock arrived. Frustrated, I asked a friend how he had managed to get his iPad 2 so quickly. "Easy," he said, "I simply waited in line for 5 hours...rather...I paid someone else to wait in line for 5 hours...." And this is how I discovered Agent Anything. Through Agent Anything, I posted a "mission" for someone to wait in line at the Apple store at 6am in exchange for $30. Yup, you heard right, a mere $30. "Agents" aka college students (you must have a valid .edu email address to be an agent to make it easier for the website to keep its agents accountable) can "accept" your mission. Within 10 minutes, a CUNY student accepted my iPad 2 mission. I was provided with his email address and phone number. The next morning, he went to the Apple store at 6am to wait in line for my mother's iPad 2. Unfortunately, the store received very little stock so I was not able to actually get an iPad 2, but the overall Agent Anything experience was quite good. Clients can propose any kind of mission they want (within the bounds of legality I presume). I've seen people post missions to return a medical device to a hospital, paint their living room or help them set up an e-commerce site. Agent Anything has even partnered with Ben and Jerry's ice cream. The client pays for the price of the ice cream and the website pays $10 to the agent who delivers it. That sounds like a win win for everyone. So, check out Agent Anything the next time you need...well...anything I guess.

New York Vintage - I Die

2011-03-15T23:55:00.001-04:00

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Today I dragged Nikki to New York Vintage to try on some dresses for an upcoming black tie wedding. In the words of Rachel Zoe - I die. And I don't use that term loosely because as much as I love Rachel Zoe, I find her signature phrases annoying and grammatically incorrect. But after an unexpected tour of New York Vintage's rental-only archives, there are no better words to describe the experience. I hadn't made an appointment thinking that I could find something amongst their "for sale" racks, but when I arrived, the friendly sales clerk informed me that the real goods are for rent only and viewable by appointment. After trying on a sleek red one shoulder Ungaro and some beautiful 1930's print dresses (unfortunately, none fit) the sales clerk kindly offered to take us on a tour of the rental-only archives even though we didn't have an appointment. When we walked upstairs, our jaws dropped. What was even more shocking is that the rental prices seemed very reasonable. There is a $200 minimum, and prices are determined based on a percentage of the retail price of the dress in conjunction with what type of event you will be wearing the dress to (so for example, the price would be different if you were wearing the dress to a private event verses a red carpet event or an editorial shoot). I have an appointment to try on dresses in the rental-only archives in a couple of weeks so I'll report back on what a Professionelle would need to pay for a gorgeous piece of vintage glamour. The example we were given was definitely more than what you'd pay on a site such as Rent the Runway, but well worth it for a one of a kind creation.

As if I haven't been gushing enough, Michelle Obama wore a Norman Norell dress from New York Vintage, so you know it's cool.

Chanel - Matte Snakeskin Tote

2011-03-09T13:38:00.001-05:00

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The next time I have $6000...oh wait...

Regardless, gorgeous bag. Very Professionelle.

Chanel Matte Snakeskin Tote (6000.00)

Bow Tie Paper Clips

2011-03-07T20:58:00.001-05:00

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So...I never actually made the fabric covered thumbtacks I posted nearly two (gasp!) years ago. And these seem even less practical. But they're simply adorable so I figured I'd post them. DIY instructions at How About Orange.

Future Professionelle in the Making

2011-02-25T13:31:00.001-05:00

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Adorable. This is apparently Alexander Wang's niece. Found at copper + lace.

Fortune Cookie Coin Purse and Other Diana Eng Creations

2011-02-22T14:07:00.001-05:00

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Do you guys remember Diana Eng from Project Runway Season 2? Her website is full of interesting fashion accessories that fall within her "Fashion Engineered from Daydreams" theme. Described as "a line of whimsically playful creations. Inspired by sea creatures, mad hatter tea parties, and hacker cocktail parties, each design comes from a daydream." Now that's a little bit too kooky for my taste, but some of the items are very cool.

Fortune Cookie Coin Purse (65.00)

Miura Ori Scarf (350.00): inspired by a biomimetic Japanese folding technique

Fibonacci Scarf (275.00): knit in the order of the Fibonacci numbers

Lifebooker

2011-02-13T18:25:00.001-05:00

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I pride myself on being up to the minute with online shopping developments, but it took me an embarrassingly long time to discover the amazing-ness that is Lifebooker (Thanks Pam!). It's essentially Groupon for beauty and health. You can find amazing deals on anything from manicures to botox. You can even book appointments online. With Valentine's day just around the corner, it's also a great link to share with your significant other as a not so subtle hint.

Do Nothing for Two Minutes

2011-02-10T00:01:00.001-05:00

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New (Lunar) year, new resolutions. My resolution this year is to relax more, which is a very difficult task for my type-A mind. Needless to say, I failed miserably at my first few attempts on this link, but eventually I was able to relax for two whole minutes. Check it out and tell me what you think: aggravating or amazing?

Courtesy of Marissa.

Efficiency Tip: Classic Clothing Checklist

2011-01-27T11:12:00.001-05:00

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This simple checklist can help you pare down an overflowing wardrobe of trendy items or help you build a classic wardrobe from the ground up. Simple and efficient, just what the doctor ordered for a busy Professionelle. Found at {a glamorous little side project}.

Techonology Tip: Organize Your Email by Color

2010-12-21T16:44:00.001-05:00

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I hate being on working group email lists because I end up getting a million emails that do not concern me and consequently miss the emails that do concern me. I learned a neat trick that allows you to color code emails in Outlook that are sent directly to you. Emails sent directly to you will show up in blue (or red or whatever color you pick) so that it is visually distinct from all of the other emails you receive. Here's how you set it up:

Click on "tools" then "organize." Select "using colors." The second bullet point should be an option to "show messages only to me in . . . ." Select the color you want and the hit "turn on" button.

You need to do this for each folder you have individually. For example, if all of your mail regarding Project XYZ gets automatically filtered to a certain folder, you will need to do this for that particular folder.

Deal Brief: Copy Cat Chic

2010-12-17T10:26:00.001-05:00

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I recently discovered Copy Cat Chic blog. Reichel B., the author, finds inexpensive alternatives to chic, but pricey, home decor items. The concept is nothing new, but I'm utterly amazed at the deals she's been able to find. Her readers help her scour the web for deals, sometimes finding the same exact item at 1/10th of the price. If you're thinking about buying a new piece of furniture or accessory for your home, be sure to check out Copy Cat Chic before putting down your credit card.

Here's just one example post, for more visit Copy Cat Chic!

Twiggy Floor Lamp

>> Wednesday, December 1, 2010

The perfect way to add a splash of color to your room: The iconic Twiggy Floor Lamp. So simple, so gorgeous and sooo expensive! ;)

via

Hive Modern's Twiggy Floor Lamp in Red = $2,338

CB2's Lantern Arc Floor Lamp = $199

Kansas City Kate

2010-12-16T16:05:00.001-05:00

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It used to be that Kate Spade handbags depressed me. They were black, boxy and horribly expensive considering they were made from nylon. Now, the Kate Spade brand has the exact opposite effect. I love her feminine details and bright colors. Looking at the Kate Spade window display on 5th Avenue always brings a smile to my face.

She also happens to be from Kansas City (the about page on her website describes how her upbringing in KC influenced her aesthetic), which is where I will be going next week to spend the holidays with my boyfriend's family. So, I thought this was the perfect time to feature some of the things I love from Kate Spade. Enjoy and happy holidays!

Polka-dot Jillian Dress (375.00)

Head in the Sand Melinda (425.00)

Stripped Bow Jacket (445.00)

Theory Winter Roundup

2010-12-09T16:39:00.002-05:00

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Just in time for Christmas, the Theory website is full of amazing pieces to get you through a winter work week.

Riva Sweater Jacket (355.00)

Abree E Dress (695.00)

Betty Dress (285.00)

Lentora's Blazer (425.00)

Ellery Coat (645.00)

Typography for Lawyers

2010-11-27T09:29:00.001-05:00

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The first time a senior associate asked me to change "straight quotes" to "curly quotes" I thought he was crazy. But, apparently there is good scientific reasoning behind his request (along with putting only one space behind periods and using bold or italics but not both). Typography for Lawyers was written by Mathew Butterick, a former graphic designer and typographer turned lawyer. It's filled with handy tips on how to make any document, particularly legal documents, more effective from a visual perspective. This is not to say that I advocate torturing junior associates with typography changes at 4am on a Friday night, but the advice is sound and the tips are interesting.

Boutiques.com

2010-11-20T09:38:00.001-05:00

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Fashion meets Facebook meets Twitter meets...Google? Google's new website, Boutiques.com, combines social media, blogging and shopping. For more information, see this article by the New York Times.

After taking it for a short test drive, I can say that I am completely addicted. The website allows users to create their own "boutique" where they can shop for and share the items they love (kinda like a Facebook profile). Google has also convinced celebrities and fashion bloggers to help with the launch of the site by creating their own boutiques for the public to peruse. Want to see what Olivia Palermo is buying? Simply go to her boutique. You can even "follow" her (exactly like Twitter).

What I really love about the website is that Google has teamed up with Like.com. As previously featured on Professionelle, Like.com technology shows shoppers items similar to the one you're interested in. It worked decently well before, but trying to find say, a black bag with gold hardware, was sometimes difficult. Like.com would show you plenty of black bags approximately the same shape as the one you're looking for, but it didn't always pick up on the details. This time around, the "similar products" feature on Boutiques.com does a much better job. So, if you found the perfect brown riding boots, but they happen to be $700, you can look for a similar product for less on Boutiques.com.

Let me know what you think, and start following Professionelle at Boutiques.com!

New Job, New Clothes

2010-10-17T21:31:00.001-04:00

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I start my first “adult” job tomorrow, as a law firm associate. How have I prepared? I went shopping. It sounds silly; I know. But given that so much about this new job seems uncertain—What kind of work will I be doing? Will I like it? Will liking the work be enough to sustain me for many long hours?—the only preparatory thing that seemed certainly helpful was to buy work-appropriate clothing and accessories. While I don’t know how I will take to my new job (or how it will take to me), I do know that it will require a new suit, comfortable pumps, a sensible handbag, and many pairs of stockings. So that’s what I bought. Specifically:

- A sensible pinstripe pants suit from J. Crew: http://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/suiting/super120spinstripe.jsp;

- A black velvet blazer to pair with a black skirt or a pair of black pants I already own to form a make-shift suit (my new employer is business formal!). It’s Ralph Lauren from a consignment store, so I can’t link to it;

- Two pairs of sensible Cole Haan pumps, one black, one brown, http://www.colehaan.com/colehaan/catalog/product.jsp?catId=100&productId=357012&productGroup=356997&pwpHash=shop,pwp,c-100/f-10001+70016+4294966411/t-WOMEN%27SHEELS;

- Two pairs of shoes in which to walk to work: riding boots, http://www1.bloomingdales.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=485979&PseudoCat=se-xx-xx-xx.esn_results, and patent leather low-heeled pumps (I need a little heel to wear with pantsuits so that they don’t drag on the ground), http://www1.bloomingdales.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=490099&PseudoCat=se-xx-xx-xx.esn_results (these are the suede version);

- A black nylon Longchamp bag that can hold a laptop and files when necessary and that is courtroom appropriate, http://www1.bloomingdales.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=482894&PseudoCat=se-xx-xx-xx.esn_results;

- And as mentioned, many pairs of Hanes Silk Reflections stockings.

I am curious; have other professionelles had this experience, where shopping seems to be the only clear way to prepare for a job? And what new-job purchases have you made?

Fashionable Scrubs

2010-07-17T17:38:00.001-04:00

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My friend Nikki loves fashion, but as a pediatric oncology nurse, her wardrobe options for work are severely limited. I'm sure many other Professionelles are in the same position so I thought I'd do a little digging into fashionable scrubs. I didn't have high hopes, but much to my surprise, I found some very chic (or at least adorable) scrub options.

Baby Phat Bright as a Feather Scrub Top (23.99)

Koi Layla Monaco Print Scrub Top (24.99)

Landau Bow Bodice Scrub Top (19.99)

Lonny Magazine

2010-07-10T16:24:00.001-04:00

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Sorry for the long absence! I've been working...and working...and working. Despite that, I managed to find some time to do a bit of apartment hunting and have finally found my dream apartment. I will be moving next month (provided I pass the coop board process...but that's a post for another day). The upcoming move has reignited my interest in home decor. Christina, my partner in crime at work, came across this web-a-zine devoted to bringing accessible design to the masses. Lonnymag.com came in the wake of the recession which put many home decor magazines out of business. It has dozens of click-able pages of furniture, art and other design ideas and products. If you see something you like, you can click on the image and it will link you directly to a site where you can purchase the product. No more trying to match the tiny numbers next to pictures with the product descriptions. Clicking through the items is half the fun because it introduces you to other awesome websites such as Poketo!. I also appreciate that unlike most conventional magazines, Lonnymag.com features Esty.com items.

Below are a few items I discovered in this month's issue of Lonnymag.com:

Lisa Congdon Print (40.00)

Exeter Cross Dip Bowls (40.00)

Savannah Story Bust, Rhino (68.00)

Shoes for the Commute

2010-04-05T21:58:00.001-04:00

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I wear heels almost every day of the week, regardless of whether I have somewhere special to go. But for some reason, the thought of wearing heels during my commute to work is unbearable. So, like many of you, I wear my Uggs to work in the winter and flip flops to work in the summer. The space beneath my desk looks like a shoe store after a very busy sale with mismatched heels covering almost every inch of floor space. I always feel a bit awkward walking into work with my professional outfit and casual shoes. Spring brought an added layer of complexity to this shoe dilemma since it became too warm to wear boots and not yet warm enough to bust out the flip flops. So this week, I vowed to search for professional yet comfortable flats that would be perfect for the morning commute. Here's what I came up with:

I love how these shoes come with a travel case. This way, you can stash your shoes in your purse without worrying about getting your bag dirty.

Juicy Couture Theda Leather Travel Flat (175.00)

Bloch makes actual ballet flats for real dancers as well as pretend ballet flats like the ones below for us regular people. Theses shoes are supposedly incredibly comfortable, but every review I've read recommended ordering a size up.

Bloch Giselle Roll Up Flat (134.00)

I bought a pair of Crocs when I went kayaking in the Boundary Waters a few years ago and they were about as comfortable as they were ugly. Now Crocs come in a more stylish package which makes them at least as work appropriate as flip flops.

Crocs McCall Flat (24.99)

Faabric: Wish Lists Compiled

2010-03-28T14:10:00.002-04:00

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We've all found something online that we love but for some reason can't immediately purchase. So we put it in our cart intending to come back in a few days (or perhaps when our next paycheck clears) to buy it. But what if you can't remember where you saw the item? Faabric.com solves this problem by allowing you to put all of the items you want on one customizable page. It requires you to create an account and set up a bookmark. Once you've done that, simply click on the bookmark when you're looking at the item you want to buy. The process is still a bit complicated for my taste, but it could become a useful tool if you find yourself constantly forgetting where you found item you just can't live without.

Deal Brief: Theory Company Store

2010-02-28T11:52:00.001-05:00

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Sorry Christina and Michelle, but I had to come back to blogging with a bang. Attention all Theory lovers, located on the second floor of an otherwise normal looking office building in Flatiron is the mother of all hidden discount finds: the Theory Company Store. It's open 6 days a week and everything is always, I repeat, always 30% off. There's no gimmick and no coupon required. Plus, all of the merchandise is current (3 weeks behind, but this season) AND they carry everything in a variety of sizes.

139 Fifth Avenue, 2nd floor

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 10am-7pm
Thursday: 10am-8pm
Saturday: 12pm-5pm

Perfect Nude Pump

2010-01-06T22:40:00.001-05:00

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I've been searching for nude, patent leather, pointy-toed pumps for months. The color and shape can supposedly create a visual illusion to elongate and slim your legs - very important for someone my height (and an added plus for everyone else).

Finding the perfect shade of nude was a bit more difficult than I anticipated, not to mention it's nearly impossible to find a pair of classically shaped pumps, without any bells and whistles, for under $500. Yesterday, I finally found them and they were perfect when they arrived at my desk this afternoon (hooray for free overnight shipping at endless.com!).

Charles David Dash Pump in Champagne (137.78)

Renttherunway.com

2009-11-12T20:11:00.001-05:00

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A friend recently emailed me an article about a new website that allows you to rent special occasion dresses at up to 90% off store prices. I'm not entirely sure how I feel about the service yet. Pros: 1) getting a designer dress for a special night at a large discount, 2) same day delivery in New York and 3) they send you an extra size in case one doesn't fit. Cons: 1) the dresses are still on the pricey side, 2) you have to return the dress and 3) even with the extra size, there's a risk you won't like how the dress looks on you. I'm willing to keep an open mind and I'd definitely like to know what Professionelle readers think of this new service.

Art Online

2009-11-08T20:21:00.001-05:00

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First of all, congrats to all of my friends who recently found out that they passed the [New York], [Massachusetts], [insert state] bar! My life these days is filled with work, fixing up my apartment, more work, more fixing up my apartment, some food, some sleep, and repeat. This schedule probably sounds familiar to many of you who recently moved to start a new job. I've pretty much taken care of the necessities (couch delivery next week!) so have turned my efforts towards the aesthetic. Read: my walls are totally blank.

Last week, my office mate introduced me to this great website, 20x200. The site offers high quality prints from emerging artists for as little as $20. Each week 2 new pieces are introduced (one photograph and one work on paper). 200 limited edition pieces are printed and sold for $20 (hence the name!). You can buy bigger prints for $50 - $2000. Here are a few of my favorites.

Trash Mountain by Megan Whitmarsh

West Nineteenth Street (Yellow Dress) by Joseph O. Holmes

Saint-Pierre by Ian Carpenter

Gosling Lake by Kurt Tong

Travel Inspiration: Greece

2009-10-13T15:00:00.001-04:00

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Stop 3: Greece

To Do: Rent an ATV and cruise around the Greek Isle of your choice, stopping in picturesque villages and ancient temples. Finish the day with a late dinner and drinks at Tropical in Fira, Santorini. The view is to die for and the American music is a welcome change from the constant techno beat that can be found pumping through every island, day or night.

To Eat: Greek salad (which we ate at every meal), Mykonian sausage, Mousaka, and grilled octopus. Yum!

To Wear: The Greek Isles are all about cool breezes, crisp colors, and luxury fit for the fabulously chic. Below is an outfit that will last you through all of those late night parties.

Wink Harmony Dress (260.00)

The Crimson Issue?

2009-10-13T10:51:00.001-04:00

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Hello from Kansas City! I'm writing you from a cozy little coffee shop called Latteland in the Plaza area of KC. Being in the Midwest with one week to go before I start work has led me to reminisce about school, which in turn reminded me of this article Sarah's boyfriend sent me a while back. I know there's at least one of you out there (you know who you are, you yellow shirt, teal shorts wearing, bracelet matching, you) who likes her men dressed like this:

But, will Harvard's venture into the fashion world be a success?

Ushering in Autumn

2009-09-29T08:03:00.001-04:00

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As many of you know, I've been in Hong Kong and China for the last month or so, traveling and basking in the tropical (if polluted) weather. Today is my last day here so I'm preparing myself for the brisker weather of New York. Once I find an apartment in the city, this will be one of the first Fall pieces I order.

Cape of Good Hope (97.99)

Travel Inspiration: Egypt

2009-08-27T05:00:00.001-04:00

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Stop 2: Egypt

To Do: Cruise down the Nile stopping to see awe inspiring temples covered in amazingly preserved hieroglyphics and tombs of the pharaohs in the Valley of the Kings.

To Drink: Mint tea at a coffee shop as the locals play dominoes nearby.

To Wear: A peak out of the plane window during our flight from Cairo to Aswan revealed the importance of water to all living things. The Nile river snaked through a stretch of lush green vegetation surrounded by endless desert where the water could not reach. The vision was striking and inspired the following khaki and green combination. The pattern on the neckline of this Vena Cava for Gap dress also reminded me the heavily adorned necklaces worn by the pharaohs.

Vena Cava for Gap Khaki Dress (54.99)

Dance Platform Pumps (298.00)

Travel Inspiration: Colorado

2009-08-26T23:03:00.001-04:00

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So sorry for the long absence! The bar is finally over! Congrats to those who also took the July bar and best of luck to those in states releasing results in the next couple of weeks. As for me, I will be gearing up for work and continuing to pretend like the end of July, 2009 never happened (at least until November).

I'm currently back in Boston, but have been fortunate enough to have traveled to some pretty spectacular places in the three weeks following the bar: Colorado, Egypt, and Greece. This, and the next two posts, are sort of a mini travel journal; inspiration drawn from three unique cultures and landscapes.

Stop 1: Estes Park, Colorado

To Do: Take a hike. I did it, which means that you can too. Leave the Louboutins at home, stretch those quad muscles, and get ready take in some amazing views and crisp mountain air.

To Drink: Water. Sweet, sweet water. Delicious water is abundant in Colorado and little did I know how precious it was until I left Colorado for Egypt.

To Wear: Being in Colorado reminded me of how pristine yet fragile the Earth can be. It inspired me to look into options for environmentally friendly professional clothing. The following dress, from Nimli.com (a green online retailer) is natural, organic, sustainable, and affordable to boot. It's also gorgeous and completely work appropriate.

Nature vs. Future Classic Cut Dress (158.00)

Mental Break

2009-07-22T16:33:00.001-04:00

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I probably shouldn't be posting this (or posting at all) since the Bar Exam is less than a week away, but here are two of my favorite ways to take a mental break from studying. Also great for those of you already in the real world who need some help getting through a slow Wednesday at work.

1) The Best of Youtube. Here's just one example, visit the website to see hundreds of similarly entertaining videos.

2) Lucky Magazine's list of the top 100 online retailers selling items for under $100

The September Issue

2009-07-20T21:50:00.001-04:00

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A documentary about Anna Wintour? It's enough to make me come out of my bar review cave and post.

News on Women

2009-07-07T21:00:00.001-04:00

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Sorry for the brief hiatus. The fear of the bar exam has finally hit...

Today's post is about one of the most informative websites I have seen in a really long time: Newsonwomen.com. The website is written by a former Executive of Chase Bank (and in the interest of full disclosure, the mother of a friend). Newsonwomen.com reports on rising female stars in business, government, education, science, and the arts. The purpose is to use information as a tool for advancing women professionally, and the information is truly inspiring. I urge you all to check it out.

A Suit in a Pinch

2009-06-23T22:13:00.001-04:00

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A good friend of mine (not saying who) got a spur of the moment clerkship interview while visiting her boyfriend. Of course she didn't bring a suit with her so she needs to find a suit, buy a pair of shoes, and research the judge all in 24 hours. I figured I'd help her out. These pieces are all from major national retailers so they should be relatively easy to find.

Banana Republic Petite Cotton Suit (209.00): Like me, my friend is petite and definitely does not have time for alterations

J Crew Isabel Dress (188.00): This is a great option if she packed a cardigan. A dress is infinitely more versatile than a suit if the right suit can't be found.

Theory Gabe Suit (660.00): I've never met a Theory suit that wasn't worth the investment. Buying a suit like this will last her a lifetime.

Understandably, my friend is willing to invest in a nice suit since it's something that she will probably wear again, but she already has a million pairs of heels so here are a few very inexpensive, interview appropriate shoes.

Dexter Patent Pump (24.99)

Maryam Slingback (26.99)

Anne Klein Darena (26.99)

Lastly, Good Luck!

Simply Beautiful: Creature Comforts and Kindred

2009-06-16T17:34:00.001-04:00

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I hope that Professionelle has become one of your favorite blogs, but I thought that today I would share with you one of my favorite blogs: Creature Comforts. It's where I go each day to escape the dingy cave that is Austin North by simply looking at some beautiful things. The author, Ez, makes the prettiest collages of artwork, crafts, and products.

She also does a Chic for Cheap post each week. This one on office decor seems particularly fitting.

And her latest venture, Kindred, provides gorgeous (and free!) images to download as your desktop along with downloadable note cards. I particularly like the downloadable gratitude notes, where you can make lists of things you are thankful for (great for those days when you need a little perspective).

Summer Chick-lit Review

2009-06-14T21:35:00.002-04:00

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Last month, Professionelle suggested a few public transportation worthy books, but apparently summer is the season for new "Chick-lit" and the New York Times has done the work for me this time. Check out this article for a comprehensive review of the good, the bad, and the downright cheesy books targeting women this summer.

Thanks to Neeraj for the link.

Brilliant Idea: Paperless Post

2009-06-11T11:59:00.001-04:00

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We're all used to Evites and Facebook invites, but Paperless Post provides a classier way to send invitations for your upcoming event. The new website offers customizable invitations that are delivered to your guests in an electronic "envelope" like the one below:

Users can customize the paper, font, and motif of their invitation as well as the "envelope" that it comes in. Guests can reply with an RSVP (also on pretty electronic stationary). Unlike Evites and Facebook invites, the service is not free, but it is definitely affordable. Users must buy "stamps." For $5 you can purchase 60 stamps. This service may not be cost effective for a casual weekend barbecue, but may be an inexpensive alternative to sending out pricey paper invitations for your graduation, wedding, or baby shower. Besides, since it's paper-free, it's also green! Below are a couple of examples from a recent New York Times article:

Thanks to Phyllis for this great find!

Etsy Accessories

2009-06-08T21:51:00.001-04:00

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Etsy is one of my favorite websites. It's an Ebay for all things handmade and vintage. The website is very hit or miss but there are some great finds. I particularly like it for jewelry and home goods. Below are a few of my favorite pieces. Home goods will be highlighted next week.

Yoga Elephant Necklace (27.00)

Green Briolette Earrings (26.00)

Mixed Goodies Bracelet (98.00)

Work Bag Feature

2009-06-05T20:46:00.001-04:00

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Although in the ideal world you would never have to bring home work, in reality you probably will at some point. Here are some attractive work bags that you could use to carry all your work papers and still look chic at the same time .

J. Crew Canvas Boardwalk City Tote (48.00)

Lodis Briefcase/Tote (248.00)

Coach Madison Julianne Bag (458.00)

Anya Hindmarch Carker Black Patent Leather Bowling Bag (1150.00)

Valextra Babila Bag in Tundra, available also in Rose Petal (2450.00)

And finally, to brighten your day...

Stella McCartney Cloud-Print Shopper (185.00)

Deal Brief: Spring Steals

2009-06-02T15:41:00.001-04:00

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Old Navy is not at the top of most people's list when it comes to work clothes, but the retailer has some great pieces at even lower than normal prices right now. Here are a few work appropriate basics.

Lightweight V-neck Cardigan (24.50)

Linen-Blend Camp Shirt (19.50)

Essential Pencil Skirt (20.00)

Although Tulle describes itself as "hip, funky, and feminine," I spotted some deals that translate well from the street to the office.

Tulle Spring Look 1 (132.00 total for all three pieces)

Solid Cotton Sheen Paper Bag Skirt (31.80)

Tullette V Neck Dress w/Pockets (31.80)

Technology Tip: 30 Second Skip on Your DVR

2009-05-29T09:21:00.001-04:00

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I love my DVR and I'm guessing you love yours too. It's a professionelle's best friend. How else are you going to keep up with Jill, Bethanny, Jack, Kate, Serena, and Blair when you're spending prime time at the office?

DVRs are also great for skipping through commercials. Turning your "fav" button into a 30 second skip forward button will make skipping commercials even easier and your TV watching experience even more efficient. Push it 4 or 5 times, toggle back once or twice and voila! Click here for directions.

This tip was forwarded to me by a friend who saw it on Lifehacker, a technology focused blog with tips on how to make your life more efficient.

Graduation Dresses

2009-05-26T11:23:00.001-04:00

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HLS's graduation is next week. A reader asked for a post with some suggestions for what to wear to graduation or class day. Since most graduations are in the summer and caps and gowns can be hot, it's best to wear something cool. I know there's also the temptation to wear something "springy" but keep in mind that black gowns can bleed in the heat. I've been told by several sources that the HLS gowns we rented will bleed. So here are a few dresses that are darker yet still pretty.

Pique V-neck Ruffle Dress (78.00)

Floral Shadow Dress (22.80)

Linen Halter Dress (115.00)

A great opportunity to wear a light colored spring dress is at Class Day where no caps and gowns are required. Here are a few suggestions:

3.1 Philip Lim Pleaded Mini Dress (177.00)

Surplice Halter Dress (129.00)

Trina Turk Hawaiian Jacquard Secret Palm Dress (256.00)

Becky Babydoll Dress (151.00)

Blue Toe Nail Polish?

2009-05-25T19:46:00.001-04:00

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I want to add to Jiabei's post about the New York Times article on courtroom attire. Both this article and a story that a friend of Jiabei's and mine told me recently have gotten me thinking about the importance of workplace dress codes (both official and unofficial) and how far we, as employees, should push the boundaries of these codes. Must we stay safely within the guidelines or can we wear things that might be just over the line or surely right up against it?

This friend of ours when she was a summer associate at a business casual law firm painted her toes with blue polish and wore open-toed shoes to work. A female partner pulled her aside and told her that her toe nail color was unprofessional and that she should remove the polish. This friend then asked her associate mentor for advice on whether she should do as the partner said. The associate said that, especially in this economy, the friend should remove the polish to ensure she received an offer at the end of the summer. My friend did as she was told by the partner and the associate, but the experience influenced her decision not to accept her offer at that firm.

Was my friend right to wear blue toe nail polish and open-toed shoes to work? The judges mentioned in the New York Times article probably wouldn't think so. But my friend didn't think she was doing anything wrong. She wasn't trying to test the system. She is just a colorful person and painted her toe nails to express her personal style. But is my friend's intent to express herself even relevant to whether she did the right thing wearing blue polish to work? Maybe part of going to work each day is leaving our "selves" at home. Maybe employers are entitled to have "self"-less employees, and dress codes are a way to ensure that the workplace is a "self"-less place.

Assuming work is a "self"-less place, are employers right to make us check our "selves" at the door? This is a loaded question that often comes up in sociological studies of the workplace (for e.g. it comes up in scholarship on sexism and gender differences at work). Putting aside the larger philosophical and moral issues this question evokes, I think that employers are sometimes right to enforce dress codes at the expense of self-expression. An employer is justified in enforcing a dress code against an employee if that employee's attire interferes with the goals of the employer. For example, my friend's employer would be justified in making her take off her blue toe nail polish if her nail color made her a less effective courtroom advocate or dealmaker, if it offended clients or business contacts, or if it interfered with any other employee's ability to do his/her work.

But maybe this is too simple. I am already doubting my formula. Even if my friend's toe nail polish didn't interfere with her, or any other employee's, ability to do their jobs is she really justified in flouting the dress code (which lets assume prohibits colored toe nail polish)? The recent law student in me thinks "Oh no! Beware of the slippery slope!" What if my friend's cavalier toe nail painting encouraged other employees to violate the dress code? Eventually, inevitably, some employee would go too far and that employee's personal style choice would interfere with the employer's goal. So maybe it's better to nip the problem in the butt before it escalates, unfortunate as that would be for my friend.

So I guess I haven't decided whether I think an employer is only justified in enforcing a dress code at the point that an employee's attire interferes with the goals of the employer or whether the employer should also have discretion to enforce against minor deviations from the letter of the law of the dress code. Luckily, while this question is intellectually interesting and important to address in the long-term, it is not one that we need to know the answer to in order to know what to wear to work each day. My answer to the question of what you should wear to work each day is to dress conservatively. You should play it safe with your employer's dress code to ensure that you find yourself far from the black-and-white area in which your boss is clearly justified in telling you to change because your attire is causing an interference.

This is not to say that you can't have fun with your workplace attire. I would just be selective in how you choose to add flair to your work uniform. Identify the elements of your employer's dress code that leave room for originality and stand out through those elements -- Colorful pumps or handbags? A scarf? A patterned blouse? A long necklace? One of the goals of this blog is to help you find ways to flex your personal style even within the confines of a business formal office. If you would like advice on how to use a particular accessory or item of clothing to incorporate some flair into your look, please let us know in the comments. We would love to help!

Courtroom Clothing

2009-05-22T15:50:00.001-04:00

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Sarah's boyfriend shared a very interesting article with me this afternoon. It seems that the age old debate about whether conservative dress codes for women are sexist has hit the judges of the 7th Circuit.

What do you think? Should women be forced to cover up so that men don't feel uncomfortable? I personally think that dressing appropriately for work doesn't mean you need to stifle your personality (in fact, that's one of the main reasons for this blog), but come on, feminism is no excuse for showing cleavage or too much thigh in the courtroom. Women dressed inappropriately make me feel uncomfortable so why shouldn't they make a man feel uncomfortable as well? But perhaps I'm wrong, I would love to hear your thoughts and opinions on this issue.

Giving Back: Urban Debate

2009-05-22T14:31:00.001-04:00

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I'm sorry to have slacked a little on the posting this week but I'm back with a very important post. It's a volunteer opportunity that will allow professionelles to use their skills to improve the lives of underprivileged high school students. Most of us have benefited enormously from good education allowing us to succeed both personally and professionally. It's time to give back and support those who may not have access to the same opportunities.

Urban debate leagues bring debate programs into inner city high schools. High school debate dramatically increases the likelihood for future academic success among its participants. The statistics are impressive. The LA Times reports, "Literacy scores among debaters have increased by an average of 25%. High school graduation rates among regular participants are nearly 100%, and more than 75% of urban debaters attend four-year colleges."

There are urban debate programs in 18 cities across America and they desperately need enthusiastic and capable volunteers to serve as coaches or judges. I would imagine that each and every one of these leagues would love to capitalize on the skills of the professionelles reading this blog. No debate experience is required. Debate is actually an activity that is very easy to pick up so long as you have analytical and communication skills and the passion to impart those skills onto others. Here are the details:

If you're an HLS student, as many of you are, the easiest way to volunteer is to join Harvard Law Students for Urban Debate. Please contact, Hrishi Hari at Hhari@jd11.law.harvard.edu for more information.

If you're are not an HLS student but live in the Boston area, please contact Steve Stein at Steve@bostondebate.org for volunteer opportunities with the Boston Debate League.

If you live in Seattle, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Southern California/Orange County, Phoenix, Denver, Minneapolis, Kansas City, Dallas, Austin, Milwaukee, Chicago, St. Louis, Houston, Detroit, Memphis, Atlanta, Tampa, Miami, Providence, Newark, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, or Washington D.C., please contact Eric Tucker at Erictucker@urbandebate.org for volunteer opportunities in your city.

Copyright for fashion?

2009-05-14T10:26:00.001-04:00

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Representative Delahunt from Massachusetts recently reintroduced the Design Piracy Prohibition Act before the new Congress (a Senate bill will follow shortly). The Act would give copyright-lite protection for fashion designs for the first time in the United States (a similar type of protection has been effective in the European Union since 2002). What is copyright-lite? It's not a legal term. It's my attempt at describing the less-than-full set of rights that fashion designers would receive under the Act relative to book authors, music composers, and screen writers (to name a few traditionally protected groups). Instead of the usual copyright term of life of the author + 70 years, the Act would only protect designs for a term of 3 years. Additionally, instead of the traditional "substantially similar" test for copyright infringement, the Act would make it harder to prove infringement in the fashion design context -- a plaintiff would have to show that the allegedly infringing design is "closely and substantially similar in overall visual appearance to a protected design" and that this similarity doesn't "merely reflect a trend."

Is this Act a good thing? Scholars have written about the consequences the Act would have for intellectual property law and for the economics of fashion. But what about for us --would this Act, if it became law, be a good thing for us? Would it lead to there being "better" -- i.e. more "original "** -- fashion at cheaper price points? If Forever 21 could no longer rely on the designs running down the runway at the Prada and Dior shows to be templates for the clothing it puts out season-after-season, might Forever 21 re-work its business model and hire a set of in-house designers to create “original” designs for the company? Surely, this would cost Forever 21 more money. Would we be willing to pay a premium for “original” clothing? The fact that stores like Forever 21 do so well suggests that many of us do not have a problem wearing "copies" of high fashion designs and would probably not put a very high premium on originality. On the other hand, H & M and Zara, which strive to add originality to their designs and which do not engage in the identical copying that Forever 21 does, also have booming businesses.

Whether we'd be willing to pay a premium for original clothing comes down to two things: (1) Do we like original clothing better or do we like looking like the people that wear high fashion and like each other (because Forever 21 et al. mass-produce these copies, many of us are bound to be wearing the same copied design, while Prada et al. recognize that exclusivity is part of the what makes their clothes valuable and so make many fewer of each design)? And (2) Do we feel that we have a moral obligation to wear clothing that is not an exact knockoff of a fashion designer's hard work? The second question is more personal, and each of us may feel differently about it -- for some this may be akin to stealing, while others might consider fashion designs to belong to all of us as part of the public domain.

An answer to the first question, I think, is more capable of generalization. Most women get a sinking feeling when they see another woman at a party or at work wearing the same outfit that they are wearing. For most women, then, some degree of originality is important. But most women also like to go out each season and buy a few on-trend ensembles. To be on-trend, by definition, these women have to wear things that look similar to what other women are wearing. So this seems to be a question of degree. Most of us want to look somewhat original and somewhat similar. In the comments, I would love to hear how "original" you like your clothing to be and how important looking "original" is to you. Does it matter how "original" each individual piece of clothing is or do you feel sufficiently original combining knockoff pieces with other pieces and accessories to create your own unique ensemble?

** I put "original" in quotes because truly original (as we usually think of the word) is hard to come by in fashion -- pretty much everything that can be done has been done. Instead, what's original is the unique combination and arrangement of already-done elements (e.g. florals, ribbons, fringe, etc.).

Cosmetics Review

2009-05-12T22:45:00.001-04:00

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For the first time ever, I am completely content with the contents of my make up bag. After trying dozens of eyeliners, mascaras, and blushes, I have found the perfect combination. Below are the winners.

Mascara: Mascaras are my obsession. I have the tiniest, shortest lashes, so I'm constantly looking for a miracle mascara. In this category, I have three favorites. The first is Chanel's Exceptionnel ($30). It has a unique six sided brush. Three of the sides are combs and the other three are brushes. The formula creates incredibly thick and feathery lashes. You're supposed to roll the brush up and out when applying, but I find that putting it on the old fashion way works just as well. The second is Rimmel's Glam Eyes ($7.49). This is a great, cheap, alternative to Exceptionnel. If you have slightly longer or thicker lashes, this may be even better for you. The brush is also unique in that it's a four sided comb that seperates as it thickens. The third is Maybelline's Lash Discovery (6.59). This lengthening mascara proves that bigger is not always better. The mini brush grabs each lash individually and lengthens from root to tip. I like to apply Lash Discovery first, and then layer Exceptionnel or Glam Eyes on top.

Chanel's Exceptionnel

Rimmel's Glam Eyes

Maybelline's Lash Discovery

Pencil Eyeliner: I've been using the same eyeliner since I first started using make up. Estee Lauder's Automatic Eye Pencil Duo ($23) is by far my favorite. The liner is soft so that it always goes on smoothly. The pencil comes with a smudger on the other end, but you can buy a refil in a different color and put it on the other end instead. I currently have Black on one end and Charcoal on the other.

Liquid Eyeliner: I only recently started using liquid eyeliner. Admittedly, it takes some practice. But once you get the hang of it, it's easy to apply, and I like how it adds more definition to the eyes compared to a pencil liner. The key to liquid liner application is having the proper liner. I have found that it's more important to find a good liquid liner than it is to find a good pencil liner. My preferred liquid liner is Shu Uemera's Liquid Eyeliner ($18 for the empty pen plus $15 for the ink cartridge). $32 is a lot to spend on an eyeliner but there are several reasons to invest in this eyeliner. First, the cartridge lasts for several months. Second, take it from someone who has wasted $5 here and there trying on inferior eyeliners, dabbling in bad products definitely adds up.

Eye Shadow: I have brown eyes. Brown eyed girls, so I've been told, should wear purple shadow. I'm not sure how true this conventional wisdom is, but I just love Clinique's Colour Surge Eye Shadow Duo in Blackberry Frost ($17.50). It's the perfect combination of shimmery purple and deep gray to create light and dark constrasts.

Blush: I love that flushed, glowing look. Like you've just gone on a run, except, as anyone who knows me can tell you, without the running part because I loath exercise. I use a two step approach to creating this look. First, I apply Benefit's Benetint ($28). Next, I sweep on a very light layer of Nars Orgasm Blush ($25) across my entire face. The Benetint provides that subtle color while the Nars provides the slight shimmer. Do not, however, mistake Super Orgasm for Orgasm. I find that Super Orgasm is too sparkly for every day use which makes it definitely too sparkly for work.

Benetint

Nars Orgasm Blush

This is obviously not a complete beauty product review. I'm still searching for the perfect lip gloss or tinted balm combination as well as a lightweight tinted mosturizer with sunblock. If you've got any suggestions, please leave them in the comments section or on the Facebook page.

Shoe Report

2009-05-10T16:18:00.001-04:00

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Another reader asked for a post about work shoes because she has little choice in what kinds of clothes she can wear to work. Even employers with strict dress codes allow more flexibility in the shoe department. Here are a few of my favorites, from the classic pump to something a bit more daring.

Nine West Barbe Pump (69.00)
As many of you know, I wear heels nearly every day. I've searched far and wide for the most comfortable pair of heels and Nine West shoes are consistent winners. Plus, you can't beat the price on these classic pumps.

Mariana by GOLC Pam (119.95)
These adorable flats are playful yet professional enough to wear if your office is on the casual side.

Christian Louboutin Triclo Crisscross d'Orsay (795.00)
Now these are the kind of Louboutins I would invest in if I had an extra $800 dollars laying around (alas...). They're classic enough to make them worth the splurge, but they're unique enough that it would be hard to find something similar for less. Plus, they're incredibly sexy, and after all, isn't that the point of wearing Louboutins?

Public Transportation Worthy Books

2009-05-06T17:59:00.001-04:00

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I started a discussion on Professionelle's Facebook page with a call for post suggestions and a reader wrote in that she would like suggestions for books to read while riding public transportation to work. She, like most of us, likes the occasional chick-lit but wanted something that went better with a suit than a swimsuit. I have to admit, since starting law school three years ago, I haven't had much time to read anything other than casebooks. One of my favorite Saturday afternoon past times, however, is to go to the local bookstore. I head straight for the "award winning fiction" section and peruse the tables for the prettiest cover. I figure it's more acceptable to judge a book by its cover if it's already "award winning." Here are a few of my favorite books that I've picked up using this method. They're all deliberately targeted towards a female audience without being too lifestyle focused. After all, you shouldn't read novels for fashion trends, read Professionelle instead!

Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
This is one of my favorite books of all time. Not a whole lot happens in terms of plot, yet the book is incredibly touching and romantic.

Prep by Curtis by Sittenfeld
Although the cover makes Prep seem like just another chick-lit, it's actually not chick-lit at all. It's the modern day A Separate Peace.

Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout
I haven't read Olive Kitteridge, this year's Pulitzer Prize winner, but the synopsis looks interesting and it will probably be the next novel I read...after the bar exam.

Deal Brief:The Outnet.com

2009-05-05T15:03:00.001-04:00

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I was shocked to learn yesterday that Phyllis hadn't heard about TheOutnet.com so I figured that if she didn't know about it yet, most of you didn't either. TheOutnet.com is Net-a-Porter's try at competing with Gilt Groupe, Rue La La, and Hautelook. It's a hybrid of sample sale sites and more traditional sale websites like Bluefly.com. The merchandise is very upscale so it's not a place I check every day, only when I'm looking to splurge.

Here are a few of my favorite finds:

An entire page of Herve Leger dresses at 50% off

12th Street by Cynthia Vincent Draped Back Tunic (110.00)

Rupert Sanderson Regal Patent Mary-Janes (278.00)

Amazing Folding Technique

2009-05-03T14:30:00.001-04:00

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My boyfriend sent me this video a while back. It was on my old blog (it's finals time so I've resorted to recycling posts), but it's pretty amazing and promises to make doing laundry more efficient so you can spend your precious free time doing something more fun.

Online Shopping Review

2009-05-01T17:40:00.001-04:00

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These days there are so many ways to spend money online. Gone are the days when online shopping was restricted to Amazon.com or Ebay.com. Now, websites offer sample sales, sale alerts, and powerful comparison tools. Online shopping can be particularly useful (and oh so exciting!) for Professionelles too busy to hit up bricks and mortar shops or needing a break at work. Here are a few of my favorites as well as tips to make the most of your online shopping experience.

General Tips:

Don't pay for shipping: Most websites these days offer free shipping. Usually free shipping on returns as well. For example, Endless.com, one of my favorite online shoe retailers offers free overnight shipping on most shoes. Amazing! If the website isn't offering free shipping directly, Google the web site's name with the words "free shipping" and you can usually find a free shipping code. People who hate online shopping often complain about the extra cost of shipping, especially if the item doesn't fit and needs to be returned. With free shipping, online shopping costs the same as in store shopping.
Search for coupon codes: Stores often mail out promotional codes to preferred customers and sometimes those customers post their codes online for the rest of the world to use. It's definitely worth the extra effort to look for promotional codes.
Price compare: once you find an item you like, make sure you look to see if other stores are carrying it at a cheaper price. This is as simple as typing the item into Google (notice a theme in this post?) and seeing what else pops up. If you do find the same item, in the same size, for less, you can check to see if your original retailer offers a price match or beat promotion. Also, make sure to check back within a week of your purchase to see if the price has dropped. Many websites will give you a price adjustment. For example, Zappos.com will credit you the difference within 10 days.

My Favorite Sites

Sample sale sites: These websites take overstock items from designers, usually sold at sample sales, typically in New York, and puts them online. Most of these websites are "invitation only," but an invite usually just means a referral from a friend. There are two that I visit regularly: Gilt Groupe and RueLaLa. Both work in the same way. Each day, several new designer "boutiques" are opened. The sales last for a few days and the items are heavily discounted. Popular items go very quickly. From personal experience, when a Gilt sale is posted at noon each day, many items are sold out in 15 minuets. I personally prefer Gilt Groupe to RueLaLa, primarily because Gilt has better designers. RueLaLa will occasionally carry a designer I love, but Gilt is more reliable. Gilt, however, usually carries items at a higher price point than RueLaLa. A $500 bag is still unaffordable even if it is 75% off. A general tip for Gilt is to preview the week's coming designers and make sure to sign in at exactly noon on the day of the sale. Put all items you find initially desirable in your shopping cart. This will give you 10 minuets to decide if you want the item. When time runs out the item will be released to other shoppers. If you aren't already on Gilt, click here to sign up.

Sale alert sites: My two favorite sale alert sites are Shop It To Me and Shopstyle. Sale alert sites send you emails informing you when items you're interested in go on sale. These sites allow you to customize the kinds of sales you're interested in by brand, category of clothing, or specific items (Shopstyle only, once you find a specific item you'd like receive an alert on, roll over the item, then click the sale alert button). You can also narrow your results by size and price as well as dictate how often you receive these sale alerts. Once you find an item you like, you will be taken directly to the online retailer offering it and you can make your purchase there. Shop It To Me also allows you to poll your friends on whether they like a particular item you're considering buying. When you receive your SaleMail alert click on the envelope icon under the specific item.

Comparison sites: Comparison sites allow you to compare prices and styles. My two favorite are Like.com and Shopstyle. Like.com works by running visual, color, and detail searches of a base item or type of item you designate. For example, if you are looking for wedge sandals, search for wedge sandals. Once you find one you like, you can run a visual search which will pull up other wedge sandals that are similar. Through this search, you may be able to find something similar or even better for less. Alternatively, you can enter a specific item you know you like, but perhaps can't afford, or is not exactly perfect. Using the same search mechanism, you may be able to find a cheaper option or a more perfect item. Shopstyle is sort of a hybrid between aggregation websites (like yahoo or MSN) and social networking websites (like Facebook or Myspace). Shopstyle allows you to search a broad cross section of stores for theperfect item. It also allows users to create a profile , make a look book, or maintain a wish list. Other users can browse or follow particular people in order to find inspiration.

Brilliant Idea: Travel Trench

2009-04-30T11:39:00.001-04:00

Professionelle has a new address! Please visit www.professionelleblog.com for this post and much more!

Last week I posted my favorite rainy weather gear, but I wish I would have known about this before posting:

Elie Tahari Double Breasted Travel Trench (263.90)
A clever travel trench that folds into a small pouch.

See this Weekend: Valentino: The Last Emperor

2009-04-29T15:22:00.001-04:00

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Last week a few very fashionable girlfriends and I went to see Valentino: The Last Emperor. The documentary follows the last two years of legendary fashion designer Valentino and his business partner Giancarlo Giametti's careers. The movie gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the beautiful world of Haute Couture and the real business pressures facing the fashion industry. I particularly enjoyed watching the interaction between Valentino and Giancarlo, his life long partner in business as well as life and love. The constant presence of Valentino's five pugs also provided many laughs. This movie, however, is not for the casual observer of fashion. Those of you who prefer InStyle to Vogue or WWD may find that it takes fashion a bit too seriously. For the die-hard fashionistas out there, Valentino: The Last Emperor is an entertaining and insightful documentary. It was also a great change of pace to watch a documentary in a movie theater. Visit the movie website for more information.

Adding Variety to the Perfect Suit

2009-04-26T04:00:00.001-04:00

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Regardless of where your firm fell in last week's guide, you will need at least one suit to get you through the first week of work as well as to hang on the back of your office door. A suit may also be just what the doctor ordered for those nasty bouts of what-should-I-wear-to-work-today-itis. After finding the perfect suit is the question of what to wear underneath. Here are a few of my favorite pieces to add variety and style to any suit:

Lorick Bird Print Blouse (150.00)

Spring Floral Chiffon Blouse (15.84)

ECI Ruffle Front Halter Top (48.00)

Fabric Covered Thumbtacks

2009-04-25T17:37:00.001-04:00

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Spring is the perfect time to add some color to your office walls. These adorable thumbtacks will make you smile the next time you need to consult your "Common Billing Numbers" sheet tacked next to your monitor. Easy to make, see instructions at How About Orange.

Summer Associate Wardrobe Guide

2009-04-22T15:51:00.001-04:00

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Just a few more weeks and thousands of rising 3Ls will head to New York embarking on the best [working] summer of their lives. Being a summer associate in New York is a surreal experience. What other profession treats its interns to little work, high pay, and amazing perks for an entire summer? Summer associate positions, however, should not be taken for granted. Especially in this economy. Summers should do everything in their power to avoid giving firms any reason not to hire them. They should also attempt to stand out in a good way. This applies not only to work product, but also to a summer's professional style. Chances are, the associates in your firm will not only be appropriately dress, but also stylishly dressed, and you should follow suit. Pun intended. Because each firm is different, consult the unofficial guide below to determine what pieces to invest in for the summer.

Suits required: Cravath (closed toe shoes required as well) and Wachtell

Max Mara Belted Suit (1335.00)

Vivienne Westwood Asymmetric Suit (782.00)

Banana Republic Classic Skirt Suit (247.99)

Suits optional, business casual: Cleary Gottleib, Davis Polk, Jenner Block, Sidley Austin, Simpson Thacher, Paul Weiss

Elie Tahari Renita Dress ($348.00)

Banana Republic Graphic Sheath Dress (150.00)

Diane von Furstenberg Della Dress ($325.00)

April Showers

2009-04-21T19:15:00.001-04:00

Professionelle has a new address! Please visit www.professionelleblog.com for this post and much more!

I have the Bus Stop theme on my Gmail where the background image changes with the weather. It is currently displaying a tower of umbrellas and has been more often than I would like it to lately. I thought this would be the perfect time to showcase my favorite rainy weather accessories meeting two important criteria: professionally stylish and easily portable.

Totes Flat Auto Open Close Folding Rain Umbrella (28.00)
Totes umbrellas are my all time favorite and I love the auto open/close function (an unfortunate childhood umbrella injury steered me away from regular umbrellas years ago). They are exceptionally well made and well worth the $28.00. This particular umbrella is also small enough to fit into most work bags or even a trench coat pocket. I have this umbrella in magenta. Brightly colored umbrellas are perfectly acceptable so long as they aren't also patterned.

Old Navy Belted Trench Coat (49.50)
A classic trench coat is a must have for any professionelle. A good trench, however, is remarkably hard to find. If you're on the taller side investing in a Burberry trench like this one is well worth the money, but for petite women I would recommend a trench from the Gap family of stores (Gap, Banana Republic, and Old Navy). Even their normal sizes work well on petite women. I'm 5'0" and my Banana Republic trench fits me better than any Burberry trench I've ever tried on.

Metropolis T-Ion Mini Dryer (59.95)
For the times you forget your umbrella and those umbrella vendors at the top of subway openings are mysteriously absent. Or when a gust of wind splashes rain into your face, eyes, and inevitably on your hair. This small hair dryer is powerful and so compact that it fits in the palm of your hand. Unless you have giant hands, or a very small purse, that should also mean that it's small enough toss in your work bag.

Technology Tip: Section Sign Shortcut

2009-04-21T15:44:00.001-04:00

Professionelle has a new address! Please visit www.professionelleblog.com for this post and much more!

I often wonder who invented the keyboard and why on earth they chose to put certain keys on it and omit others. For example, why is this ({) symbol deserving of a spot on my keyboard but not this (§) symbol which I, and I would imagine, most professionelles, use with much greater frequency. But fear not, Microsoft Word allows you to assign a shortcut key for the section symbol (§) and any other symbol. Here's how: In Word, go to Insert > Symbol. Then click on the symbol you would like to assign a shortcut key. Click the "Shortcut Key" button and in the box that says "Press new shortcut key," type what you would like for your shortcut key. For example, on my computer I typed in Ctrl + Alt + S for the section symbol (§). Now every time I want to use the section symbol (§), I simply type Ctrl + Alt + S and voila! I would not recommend assigning Ctrl + S as your shortcut for the section symbol (§) because it is already the shortcut key for saving. *Unlike most fashion and lifestyle blogs, Professionelle seeks to provide more than just Spring shoe trends (although I'm currently lusting after these, if only I were tall enough to wear flats). In that vein, occasional technology tips will be posted to help make your work and personal life more efficient and effective. Please email me at Professionelle.blog@gmail.com if you have any computer, internet, or blackberry tips.

Back to Basics for Summer

2009-04-15T11:27:00.001-04:00

Professionelle has a new address! Please visit www.professionelleblog.com for this post and much more!

It's brutal out there. Law firms are laying off associates, delaying start dates, and cutting summer programs. Banks are still not hiring. Bernake predicts the economy could start to recover in one year, but one year is a long way off. Some of you will make a budget and stick to it, but the rest of us will undoubtedly spend some of our precious salary advance (if you're lucky enough to still have one) or deferment bonus (does calling it a bonus make it better?) on clothes. The key, however, is to shop smartly. That means it's time to hunker down, get back to basics, and choose pieces that do double duty. Here are a couple of my favorites looks that can be worn at work as well as at play.

Theory Women's Pixel Flower Mahiro Top (176.25)
Semantiks Dashing Denim Pencil Skirt (68.00)

Women's Essential One Button Cropped Blazer (30.00)
Diane von Furstenberg Lupe Dress in Rainbow Garden Small (385.00)

Welcome to Professionelle!

2009-04-06T17:19:00.001-04:00

Professionelle has a new address! Please visit www.professionelleblog.com for this post and much more!

I turned 24 last September. For most women 24 is nothing special, but for me it was the year that I would become an adult. At least in my own mind. Since the age of 12, I knew that I wanted to go to law school and become a lawyer. At that tender age, I eagerly counted the years to go before I would graduate and go on to defend justice and liberty as a lawyer. It seemed so far away at the time. Now that time is finally here. I am 2 months away from graduation, 4 months away from taking the bar, and 6 months away from finally becoming a real lawyer.

Next Fall, I will be starting as an associate at a large New York law firm. So maybe it's not exactly what I set out to do 12 years ago, but, hey, I also thought at the time that I could be a triple threat akin to Jennifer Lopez (except replace dancing with lawyering). I'm actually very excited about starting my job. I'm going to a very respectable firm whose people I admire and actually enjoy spending time with. I am well aware that this is not an easy thing to find, and for that I am very grateful.

Leaving behind my life as a student is something that I'm less enthusiastic about. Students get up at noon, spend a few hours in class, control their hours, and answer only to themselves...and their cell phones. It seems that the only thing professionals and students have in common is the ability to walk and send emails at the same time. What's more, as a woman entering a very male dominated world, the challenges of next year sometimes seem insurmountable.

But anyone who knows me well knows that feeling powerless stresses me out more than any actual challenges I may soon have to face. So, in an effort to better prepare myself for my entree into the cut throat New York legal world and help others along the way, I've decided to start this blog. Professionelle is a blog devoted to helping young, professional women succeed with style and grace. It is also a blog devoted to helping women hold on to what made them happy before they started their climbs on the corporate ladder, be it an awesome deal on a pair of shoes, a good chic flick, dinner and drinks with girlfriends, or the simple pleasures of celebrity gossip.

Helping me along the way will be my good friend Yun Ah. She is an [investment] banker at a large New York Bank. Investment in brackets because those don't technically exist anymore. Pretty soon I may be referring to her as a government employee. Yun Ah is one of the most savvy and stylish women I have ever met. We immediately hit it off during a summer banking internship our Junior year of college, and there is no one I trust more to help make this blog a success.

I hope that you will find the information on this blog informative, interesting, and helpful. If this blog becomes a place you go not only to get information but also as a release after a stressful day of work, then I have succeeded. Please feel free to email me at Professionelle.blog@gmail.com with any comments and suggestions. I look forward to hearing from you.

Jiabei